Chateau Clinet label

Chateau Clinet 2005

Red Wine
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Item# 1761-05

Product Ratings

Wine Advocate 96pt
Wine Spectator 93pt

Vintage 2005

After a dry, harsh winter, spring temperature were more clement, frequently rising above 20C, which influenced early budding which was evenly spread in spite of the rain shortage in winter (60 mm of rainfall through December, January and February as opposed to about 250 mm in a normal year).
The growth of the vines was accelerated by a mild, humid April. May and June saw a return of severe drought conditions owing to low rainfall and temperature higher than the seasonal norm; climatic conditions which are good in that they impede the development of cryptogamic diseases, but intensify the battle against pests.
Flowering also took place in ideal conditions a good week ahead of the normal cycle.
The grapes were healthy, well-formed and of average size, facilitating green harvesting according to the quality goals of the estate.
The severe drought in the months of July and August put a strain on water resources from 15 July.
Nevertheless, the nights remained cool, and the grapes ripened to perfection.
Harvesting took place over three weeks, starting from 9 September for the young Merlot grapes, in exceptional weather, allowing the grapes to be picked parcel by parcel as they reached optimum maturity. The harvest ended on the 29 September with the Cabernets.
Fermentation lasted for 3 weeks to compensate for a lack of nitrogen in the must due to the drought so that phenols could be extracted gently without impairing the purity of the fruit.
All the signs of a major success the wines of this vintage are characterised by great depth, the presence of very silky tannins, an exceptionally aromatic intensity, good acidity and outstanding freshness. The ageing ability prospects are also very interesting.